Goff science teacher Ronald Montesi has been selected to participate in the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Summer Teacher Institute for the week of June 20-24 in Washington, D.C.

Montesi is one of 24 teachers attending the program from across the country.

During the five-day program, Montesi will work with Library education specialists and subject-matter experts to learn effective practices for using primary sources in the classroom, while exploring some of the millions of digitized historical artifacts and documents available on the Library’s website.

“This is super exciting to be with other science teachers in the Library of Congress and to bring knowledge back so that our students can learn in a different way,” said Montesi, who has taught at Goff Middle School for 12 years.

Primary sources are the raw materials of history – original documents and objects that were created at the time period under study. Teaching with primary sources is a powerful way to help students ask engaged, probing questions, develop critical-thinking skills and construct knowledge.

This special session is for educators who teach science, technology or engineering. Activities draw upon the Library’s treasures related to these areas, with an emphasis on the nature of science, scientific and engineering practices, interdependence of science, technology and engineering, the historical context of discovery and invention, and more.

“Ron is somebody who is always pursuing professional development to better himself, his students and his colleagues,” said Michele Bowman, Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Professional Development. “As a District, we fully support and encourage our staff to take advantage of these opportunities.”

Montesi applied for the program after learning about it from the National Science Teachers Association, a professional organization of which he is a member.

“Science is all about finding new information and sharing that information with others,” Montesi said.